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4w ago

New Mexico Supreme Court Bans Judge for Harboring Alleged Gang Member

Former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano faces a lifetime ban after authorities discovered an alleged Tren de Aragua member living in his home, leading to his resignation and disciplinary action.

Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a suspected gang member, along with former judge Joel Cano (L). Ortega-Lopez (R) is seen carrying what appears to be a gun.
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Overview

  • Joel Cano, a former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge, resigned in March 2025 after DHS agents arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member, at his home.
  • The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a lifetime ban on April 22, 2025, barring Cano from holding or running for any judicial office, including officiating weddings.
  • Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023, was released due to border facility overcrowding before being detained in February 2025 for firearms violations.
  • Investigators found social media evidence linking Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang, a group designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025.
  • The case highlights issues of judicial ethics, border enforcement challenges, and transnational gang infiltration, as Cano’s family allegedly facilitated housing and access to firearms for Ortega-Lopez.